World War II veteran, U.S. Army
GRAFTON — John J. “Jack” Fay, 90, passed away October 22, 2014 following an illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Margaret M. “Peggy” (Foley) Fay and his daughter Cheryl Fay–Lauria and her husband Joseph Lauria. Jack was born August 28, 1924 in Worcester, son of the late Susan (Connole) and John Fay. He grew up in the Grafton Hill neighborhood in the city and graduated from Commerce High School in 1942 and would often find himself at Crompton Park watching basketball. He then graduated from Wentworth Institute.
Jack served in the US Army during World War II, and following his discharge in 1945 went to work at Norton Company and then at General Electric as a sales engineer in the Industrial Sales, Marine and Defense Divisions for more than 30 years retiring in 1989. On a crisp afternoon in the fall you were likely to find Jack at a Holy Cross football game where he was a season ticket holder. He was also a big fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics. During the summer he and Peggy would find the summer sun at Wells Beach in Maine. Always devoted to his parish church of St. Mary in Grafton, Jack lived a life of stewardship and service. For many years he was a lector and Eucharistic minister and was active in fundraising for the Bishop’s Fund. He often found time to visit the residents of Brigham Hill Nursing Home in Grafton and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. In lieu of traditional remembrances his family requests donations to St. Mary’s Church c/o Market Sunday, 17 Waterville St. N. Grafton, MA 01536.
Calling hours and funeral Mass
Friends and family gathered on Sunday, October 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roney Funeral Home in North Grafton. A funeral Mass was celebrated Monday October 27 at St. Mary’s Church in North Grafton. Jack was laid to rest with military honors at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester. Please visit an online guestbook for Jack to share a memory or message of condolence with his family at: www.RoneyFuneralHome.com
